Description
Award winning family owned and operated boutique winery Frankland Estate is located in Frankland River, the coolest and most isolated wine-growing region in Western Australia. Warm days, cool nights (maritime influenced by the proximity to the Great Southern Ocean – means milder summers and winters) optimum ripening conditions, sustainable organic practices and a pristine pollution free environment are all contributing factors to the fine wines it produces.
About this wine from the winemakers: “This wine was made from Cabernet Sauvignon from our original 1988 plantings in our family vineyard.
Fruit for this wine was sourced from our ‘Winery Block’ on the Isolation Ridge vineyard at Frankland Estate. The vineyard is planted undulating northern and eastern facing slopes on ancient duplex soils of ironstone gravel and loam over a clay sub-soil. The Isolation Ridge Vineyard achieved organic certification in 2009 and is currently in the second year of Biodynamic certification conversion.
“A fantastic vintage in 2023 for Frankland River Cabernet. A very wet and cold winter, was followed by a cool and wet spring which wet the soil profile all the way through, providing ideal conditions for good growth and fruit set on the vines. A judicious approach to viticulture ensuring yields were managed through fruit selection paid dividends as the season became very mild to cool towards the end of the growing season. Fruit for this wine was harvested on April 22nd, the long hang time rewarded grapes with lovely maturity and flavour.
“Organically grown and made, this wine was fermented as long and slowly as possible, at temperatures not exceeding 27°C in small open pot fermentation tanks that allowed the cap to be worked by hand plunging and an extended maceration period allowed optimal colour, flavour and tannin extraction. It was aged in 500 litre French oak puncheons (20% new) for 12-13 months, this contributing textural complexity without compromising the opulent natural fruit flavours of the wine.
“A quintessentially Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon where freshness, delicacy yet understated power and authenticity of vineyard site and ironstone soils shine through. Complex lifted aromas of blood plum, brambles, and blackcurrant with a sprinkling of mixed Italian herbs entwined with a confident a refined use of oak. This is surrounded by florals, rose and vibrant red currants.
“Soft and generous upfront blackcurrant and plum on the palate supported by a mouth coating smooth but fine-grained persistent tannin reflecting the age worthiness of this wine. Drinking well on release it will gain complexity for 15 plus years.”
92 points, Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion “What a joy this wine is. Soft and slippery and a touch powdery in texture, a lot of perfume, a juicy, bright and fresh feel to taste. Blueberry, mulberry, sage leaf, sea spray, light clove and cedar notes, subtle choc-licorice, raspberry nougat going on in scents and flavours. Oooh, yeah. Such pleasure-zone stuff here, such a wonderful, easy drink.”
93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Medium-bodied, juicy red fruits, a rosehip perfume, some cedar, mint and dried herbs. It’s a lively wine, quite succulent in sweet red fruits, some tobacco and again this sort of dried rose perfume, a light almost smudgy grip to tannin, with a slightly nutty finish of good length. Lovely wine here. No shortage of energy and charm.”
RRP $43 Our Special Price Only $32.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
